Cleveland Indians part ways with Travis Hafner

CLEVELAND -- Travis Hafner's 10-year career with the Indians is officially over.

The Indians announced Wednesday they have declined the $13 million club option on Hafner's contract for 2013. The Tribe will pay the $2.75 million buyout on the option, which will make the 35-year-old designated hitter a free agent.

Hafner is the Indians' all-time leader in career home runs and RBI by a designated hitter, and his 200 career homers ranks eighth on the Indians' all-time list.

The Indians also announced that they have declined the $6 million club option on pitcher Roberto Hernandez, making him a free agent.

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The Tribe did exercise the $5.75 million club option on Ubaldo Jimenez, who led all American League pitchers in losses and wild pitches in 2012.

Wednesday was the deadline for teams to exercise club options for 2013.

"I want to thank both Travis and Roberto for the time they spent with our organization," Indians general manager Chris Antonetti said. "In Travis' case, during the decade he spent with us he made a huge impact on the field, and off the field with all the charitable work he and his wife Amy did within our community. We wish them well."

The 2012 season was the final year of Hafner's four-year $57 million contract, a deal which coincided almost exactly with a series of injuries that robbed him and the Indians of the prime of his career.

From 2004-07 Hafner hit .296 and averaged 32 home runs and 108 RBI per year. Then came the injuries, and from 2008-12 Hafner hit .259 and averaged 12 homers and 43 RBI per year.

"Early in his career he was one of the best and most feared hitters in the American League," Antonetti said. "Unfortunately, the injuries prevented him from continuing to play at that level."

Carmona's career in Cleveland was derailed by deceit, having been arrested in his native Dominican Republic last off-season for identity theft, Carmona missed most of the 2012 season waiting for his case to be resolved. He returned in August, started three games, losing them all, before suffering a season-ending sprained ankle.

In helping lead the Indians to the 2007 Central Division title while pitching under the false name Fausto Carmona, Hernandez was 19-8 with a 3.06 ERA. However, in his other six years with the Tribe his record was 34-61, with a 5.32 ERA.

In addition to not being Fausto Carmona, Hernandez was also three years older than his previously listed age. He is now 32 years old.

Despite all that, it's possible the Indians could still bring back Hernandez next year, if he's willing to agree to a contract for a much lower salary than the $6 million club option that was declined by the Indians.

"We'd be interested in bringing him back (at a lower salary) if he has an interest," Antonetti said.

Jimenez will be back next year, hoping to make everyone forget about this year. In his first full season with the Indians the 28-year-old right-hander had a disastrous 2012. In 31 starts Jimenez was 9-17 with a 5.40 ERA.

His 16 wild pitches led the American League and were two shy of the Indians' single season record. He also walked the second most batters in the league.

Indians officials say they are optimistic about Jimenez having a turnaround season in 2013.

"He's a huge part of our team," Manager Terry Francona said. "We look for him to return to form next year."

The Indians will dispatch new pitching coach Mickey Callaway to Jimenez's home in the Dominican Republic during the winter to work with the pitcher on his mechanics and approach to pitching.

"He continues to show an ability to be a successful major league pitcher, but he needs to be more consistent," Antonetti said. "Ubaldo is determined to have a successful season next year."